Adirondack Park Loop Overview Image

Adirondack Park Loop Section 1 Detail Image

NOTE: This map is presented in a slightly different format from the others we produce. It is available as a pdf or physical copy. The physical copy is printed on standard 8 1/2" x 11" weatherproof paper with pages stapled together at the top left corner. Map panels are similar size to other maps (1/3 of page height).

Explore Adirondack Park by bicycle.

The Adirondack Park Loop is almost entirely within the boundaries of the Adirondack Park. Starting just outside of Schenectady, New York, in Niskayuna, the route travels north through Saratoga Springs before crossing the “Blue Line," the term that many locals and frequent visitors use for crossing the boundary into the park. Adirondack Park is the largest publicly protected area in the lower forty-eight states, greater in size than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon national parks combined.

The loop gives an excellent representation of what northern New York has to offer. There is no shortage of beautiful scenery along the route as it travels mostly on roads with very little traffic. The route passes over rolling hills of rural farmland and historic battlefields, through quaint towns, and climbs to some of the highest elevation points in the state.

This loop begins and ends at Lyons Park in the town of Niskayuna. You’ll follow the Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway along the Mohawk River for some traffic-free riding to start the trip. After crossing the river and riding the first twenty-one miles, you’ll need to decide to ride clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Heading counter-clockwise, cyclists will approach Saratoga Springs, famed for the Saratoga Race Course which is said to be the oldest continually operational sports venue of any kind in the country. Directly across the street from the race track is the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, located at 191 Union Ave. There you can learn about stories like how the legendary Man O’ War lost the only race of his career to a horse named “Upset.”

Continuing north from Saratoga Springs, it’s a short 15 miles before entering the Adirondack Park. Half of the acreage of the park belongs to all of the people of New York State and is constitutionally protected to remain “forever wild.” The remaining half is private land that includes farms, businesses and homes.

Past Ticonderoga, the route starts to hug the shore of Lake Champlain. While there won’t be a notation along the actual roadway, you’ve also just joined up with Adventure Cycling’s Green Mountains Loop. Arriving in Port Henry, there is an optional spur route that continues north along Lake Champlain to Port Kent. Here you can take a ferry to Burlington, Vermont. The ferry, which runs eight times a day in the height of the summer and four times a day in the fall, takes an hour and ten minutes to cross Lake Champlain. It should be noted that the ferry only operates from mid-June until late September.

Staying on the main route, you will soon encounter Lake Placid. Most everyone associates Lake Placid with the Olympics, and for good reason, because the small town of 2,500 people has twice hosted the Winter Olympics. There is a host of activities to see and do around the town that are associated with the Olympics, from watching ski jumpers fly off of ramps into a pool of water, to seeing ice skaters practice pirouettes in the historic ice arenas. Combine all of this with the many hotels, restaurants and coffee shops, and Lake Placid is a great place to spend an extra day or two.

The route continues to travel through smaller towns. And while they might not have the notoriety of Lake Placid, they are quaint, scenic towns in their own right. Tupper Lake is home to the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, and Blue Mountain Lake is home to the Adirondack Museum. Both places are a must see for park enthusiasts.

After leaving the park traffic increases so use caution. Twenty miles or so after Gloversville, you arrive back at the point where you had to choose your direction of travel.

The loop gives an excellent representation of what northern New York has to offer. There is no shortage of beautiful scenery along the route as it travels mostly on roads with very little traffic. The route passes over rolling hills of rural farmland and historic battlefields, through quaint towns, and climbs to some of the highest elevation points in the state.

Adirondack Park Loop - Main Route

Section

Distance

Elevation

Total Climb

Avg. Climb/mile

Total

395.0 miles

Minimum: 95 ft.

Maximum: 2,385 ft.

23,640 ft. counterclockwise bound

23,685 ft. clockwise bound

60 ft. per mi. counterclockwise bound

60 ft. per mi. clockwise bound

Adirondack Park Loop Alternates

Name

Section

Distance

Total Climb

Avg. Climb/mi

Whiteface Mountain Alternate

1

23.5 miles

1,920 ft. counterclockwise bound

1,495 ft. clockwise bound

82 ft. per mi. counterclockwise bound

64 ft. per mi. clockwise bound

Burlington Ferry Spur

1

44.5 miles

3,585 ft. north bound

3,590 ft. south bound

81 ft. per mi. north bound

81 ft. per mi. south bound

Great Sacandaga Lake

1

33.0 miles

1,425 ft. north bound

1,650 ft. south bound

43 ft. per mi. north bound

50 ft. per mi. south bound

This route can be ridden anytime between late spring to mid-fall.

Even though the route travels through smaller towns in the park, there are a plethora of services that cater to tourists. Some cyclists may want to do this route during the colors of autumn. If you do, call ahead to verify campgrounds because many close after Labor Day. If staying indoors, or at campgrounds, advance reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

Some campgrounds will charge a cyclist traveling alone less if they have hiker/biker sites, but often they will charge the price of a regular tent or RV site, and that can easily be $10-$30/night. If you're friendly and ask around, you can often get yourself invited to camp in a yard. Our routes sometimes go through national forests (moreso in the west) and you are allowed to camp anywhere on national forest land as long as you "pack it in, pack it out." Many city parks are free to camp in.

You may also wish to sign up with Warmshowers, a reciprocal hospitality site for bicycle travelers, for other overnight options.

Adirondack Park Loop Overview Image

Adirondack Park Loop Section 1 Detail Image

NOTE: This map is presented in a slightly different format from the others we produce. It is available as a pdf or physical copy. The physical copy is printed on standard 8 1/2" x 11" weatherproof paper with pages stapled together at the top left corner. Map panels are similar size to other maps (1/3 of page height).

Explore Adirondack Park by bicycle.

The Adirondack Park Loop is almost entirely within the boundaries of the Adirondack Park. Starting just outside of Schenectady, New York, in Niskayuna, the route travels north through Saratoga Springs before crossing the “Blue Line," the term that many locals and frequent visitors use for crossing the boundary into the park. Adirondack Park is the largest publicly protected area in the lower forty-eight states, greater in size than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon national parks combined.

The loop gives an excellent representation of what northern New York has to offer. There is no shortage of beautiful scenery along the route as it travels mostly on roads with very little traffic. The route passes over rolling hills of rural farmland and historic battlefields, through quaint towns, and climbs to some of the highest elevation points in the state.

This loop begins and ends at Lyons Park in the town of Niskayuna. You’ll follow the Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway along the Mohawk River for some traffic-free riding to start the trip. After crossing the river and riding the first twenty-one miles, you’ll need to decide to ride clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Heading counter-clockwise, cyclists will approach Saratoga Springs, famed for the Saratoga Race Course which is said to be the oldest continually operational sports venue of any kind in the country. Directly across the street from the race track is the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, located at 191 Union Ave. There you can learn about stories like how the legendary Man O’ War lost the only race of his career to a horse named “Upset.”

Continuing north from Saratoga Springs, it’s a short 15 miles before entering the Adirondack Park. Half of the acreage of the park belongs to all of the people of New York State and is constitutionally protected to remain “forever wild.” The remaining half is private land that includes farms, businesses and homes.

Past Ticonderoga, the route starts to hug the shore of Lake Champlain. While there won’t be a notation along the actual roadway, you’ve also just joined up with Adventure Cycling’s Green Mountains Loop. Arriving in Port Henry, there is an optional spur route that continues north along Lake Champlain to Port Kent. Here you can take a ferry to Burlington, Vermont. The ferry, which runs eight times a day in the height of the summer and four times a day in the fall, takes an hour and ten minutes to cross Lake Champlain. It should be noted that the ferry only operates from mid-June until late September.

Staying on the main route, you will soon encounter Lake Placid. Most everyone associates Lake Placid with the Olympics, and for good reason, because the small town of 2,500 people has twice hosted the Winter Olympics. There is a host of activities to see and do around the town that are associated with the Olympics, from watching ski jumpers fly off of ramps into a pool of water, to seeing ice skaters practice pirouettes in the historic ice arenas. Combine all of this with the many hotels, restaurants and coffee shops, and Lake Placid is a great place to spend an extra day or two.

The route continues to travel through smaller towns. And while they might not have the notoriety of Lake Placid, they are quaint, scenic towns in their own right. Tupper Lake is home to the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, and Blue Mountain Lake is home to the Adirondack Museum. Both places are a must see for park enthusiasts.

After leaving the park traffic increases so use caution. Twenty miles or so after Gloversville, you arrive back at the point where you had to choose your direction of travel.

The loop gives an excellent representation of what northern New York has to offer. There is no shortage of beautiful scenery along the route as it travels mostly on roads with very little traffic. The route passes over rolling hills of rural farmland and historic battlefields, through quaint towns, and climbs to some of the highest elevation points in the state.

Even though the route travels through smaller towns in the park, there are a plethora of services that cater to tourists. Some cyclists may want to do this route during the colors of autumn. If you do, call ahead to verify campgrounds because many close after Labor Day. If staying indoors, or at campgrounds, advance reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

Some campgrounds will charge a cyclist traveling alone less if they have hiker/biker sites, but often they will charge the price of a regular tent or RV site, and that can easily be $10-$30/night. If you're friendly and ask around, you can often get yourself invited to camp in a yard. Our routes sometimes go through national forests (moreso in the west) and you are allowed to camp anywhere on national forest land as long as you "pack it in, pack it out." Many city parks are free to camp in.

You may also wish to sign up with Warmshowers, a reciprocal hospitality site for bicycle travelers, for other overnight options.